RAF Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a coordinated attack against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the Islamic State group (IS), according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, located using reconnaissance, was believed to be storing arms and explosives, the release indicated, and was situated in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our aircraft utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to target a number of approach shafts down to the site... preliminary assessments are that the target was engaged successfully," the MoD said.
There was no evidence of any civilian impact in the strike late on Saturday and each participating jet returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - also known as the so-called Islamic State - established militant control over significant areas in both Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This strike shows British leadership, and resolve to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any revival of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary remarked.
UK warplanes have carried out patrols over Syrian airspace to "forestall any attempted resurgence" of the group after its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to every member of our armed forces participating in this strike for their skill and their courage," he said. "Including them were a great many British troops deployed over Christmas and New Year. This action, to eliminate terrorist threats who pose a risk to our way of life, shows how our armed forces are ready to step up, continuously, ensuring Britain's security at home and influential overseas."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "massive strike" on Daesh sites in Syria, subsequent to an ambush claimed the lives of two US troops and a civilian interpreter in the Palmyra area.
The UN estimates Islamic State still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria.
